A large number of devotees paid obeisance at Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib on the occasion of Bandi Chhor Divas
AMRITSAR: As per tradition, the acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, gave a message to the Sikh Panth from the Darshani Deori of Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib, demanding the commutation of Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana's sentence and the release of the imprisoned Sikhs, as well as expressing concern over the discrimination against Sikhs, incidents of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib, questions raised on Sikh scriptures and the attempts to take over Sikh institutions under a deep conspiracy, and spoke of Panthic unity.
He said that by establishing Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the sixth Guru gave the Sikhs such a throne, which always guides them in the discourses of right, truth, justice and religion. He said that on the occasion of Bandi Chhor Diwas, the entire Khalsa Panth sits here with folded heads according to Panthic traditions and makes a strategy to face the challenges of the future.
Giani Kuldeep Singh, remembering the 350th anniversary of the unique martyrdom of the ninth Guru Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and his fellow Sikhs Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Sati Das Ji and Bhai Dayala Ji for religious freedom and human rights while protecting the tilak and janju of the oppressed party of that time, said that these martyrdoms guide us and testify to the people of every religion to wear religious symbols according to their religion and live in freedom. But it is a matter of sorrow that today the incidents of Guru Sahib Ji's Sikhs being stripped of their kirpans and kadas coming to light from different corners of the country show that the current rulers also intend to destroy our identity by keeping a narrow mind like the rulers of that time.
He spoke about the rights of Singhs Bhai Jagtar Singh Hawara, Bhai Gurdeep Singh Khaira, Bhai Davinderpal Singh Bhullar, Bhai Jagtar Singh Tara, Bhai Paramjit Singh Bheora and other Singhs who have been detained in jails for a long time and Bhai Balwant Singh Rajoana who is facing the death penalty, and demanded immediate release from the government.
Giani Gargajj, referring to the notification issued by the government on the occasion of the 550th Prakash Purb in 2019, said that the government should remain firm on its decision and announce the release of the imprisoned Singhs. Jathedar Gargajj, speaking about preventing incidents of desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji and establishing a guard of the Panth in the Guru Ghars, said that it should be made mandatory to make proper arrangements for guarding and security in every Gurdwara Sahib. He said that while the Sikhs have to be strong religiously, familially, socially and economically according to the principle of Miri Piri bestowed by Guru Sahib, they also have to be strong politically at the global level. He said that the Sikh community is a common family and no differences in the community are so big that anyone should try to create division in the community on the basis of which.
Jathedar Gargajj said that the management of Gurdwaras, Gurdwaras and Takht Sahibs has been achieved by the Khalsa Panth by sacrificing their lives and it will always remain with the Panth. The Khalsa Panth will never tolerate any interference in the management of Gurdwaras and Takht Sahibs or any attempt to take the management into their own hands by the rulers of the time.
He also demanded the opening of the closed corridor of Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib, Sri Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan. The Jathedar said that in view of the sentiments of the Sikh community, this corridor should be reopened soon so that the message of mutual love and harmony between the two countries increases. In his message, he also praised the services rendered by Sikh organizations during the floods in Punjab. Giani Kuldeep Singh said that the 350th anniversary of the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji is being celebrated by the Khalsa Panth in November this year with Panthic traditions and national unity. He appealed to maximum number of devotees to participate in the events being held at Gurdwara Sri Sisganj Sahib, Sri Anandpur Sahib and Gurdwara Sri Sisganj Sahib Delhi.